A ripple of A Good Thing. Positive change spreads across London's hotels
In a heartening display of community engagement and volunteer persistence, A Good Thing CIC, as part of ReLondon and the London Borough of Hounslow’s ‘Heston in the Loop’ initiative, has sparked a significant ripple of charitable giving from within the hotel industry across the city. A Good Thing CIC, which matches charitable organisations with local businesses that have items to give away, has seen dozens of hotels sign up to the platform in recent weeks, and donate hundreds of no-longer-needed items.
A Good Thing volunteer, Harry
The success story began with the forward-thinking nature of Harry, a dedicated long-term volunteer with A Good Thing, who spotted the DoubleTree by Hilton Heathrow was based in Heston and set about contacting them to let them know about A Good Thing – laying the foundations for the relationship. His efforts were part of A Good Thing’s outreach work related to ReLondon’s Heston-based circular economy project. Harry’s dedication paid off in November 2023, when the DoubleTree by Hilton Heathrow hotel signed up with A Good Thing, marking what turned out to be a pivotal moment for the project.
DoubleTree by Hilton Heathrow’s decision to list sofabeds and artwork for donation caught the attention of local charities, highlighting the tangible benefits of such partnerships. But then the engagement with this one hotel opened the door to an even broader network: the hotel’s general manager introduced A Good Thing to the Heathrow Hoteliers Association (HHA), and this in turn led to an opportunity to present A Good Thing to HHA’s members at an online meeting. This exposure quickly amplified A Good Thing’s message, and kickstarted a wave of participation from hotels right across London, each eager to contribute items such as baby buggies, duvets, pillows and shaving kits to those in need.
This unfolding story highlights the impact of determined volunteer work and showcases how a single connection can lead to widespread community benefits. The hotels involved have expressed great enthusiasm for finding a purposeful outlet for items that would otherwise be destined for the bin, while local charities and those they support are directly benefiting from the generous donations
Feedback from hoteliers, like Kyle Benjamin, Captain at the Moxy London Excel in east London, illustrates the willingness within the hotel industry to find alternative avenues for disposing of their no-longer-needed items and surplus stock:
Shaving kits donated by Moxy London Excel
“It’s great to see an organisation like this! I was notified by one of our sister hotels, based in Heathrow, so thought I would jump on board. Especially being a hotel, we often have things to throw away.”
Moxy London Excel’s decision to join and then promote A Good Thing across its portfolio of hotels exemplifies the industry's growing enthusiasm for and commitment to both sustainability and social responsibility.
A Good Thing’s journey through the Heston in the Loop project demonstrates the power of persistence and community, and showcases the positive change that can arise from dedicated volunteerism. It's a reminder that every effort counts, and that the ripple effect of good deeds can indeed spread far and wide, creating a cascade of positive outcomes across communities and industries alike.
